JP2009014874A

JP2009014874A - Method of positioning reflecting mirror, mechanism for positioning the reflecting mirror, optical scanner and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP2009014874A
Application number: JP2007174653A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yasumasa Tomita; 泰正富田
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-02
Filing date: 2007-07-02
Publication date: 2009-01-22

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical scanner with the disturbance of fixing attitude of a reflection mirror 55 suppressed, better than the conventional types. <P>SOLUTION: The reflecting mirror 55 which reflects a light beam, emitted from an unillustrated laser diode, is energized against the mirror face positioning face of an apparatus body with a spring, and the mirror face of the reflecting mirror 55 is abutted against the mirror face positioning face so that the mirror face of the reflecting mirror 55 is positioned in the body of the optical scanner, wherein the body of the apparatus is provided with the receiving face which receives the edge face in the short-side direction of the reflecting mirror 55; the reflecting mirror 55 is energized against the mirror face, positioning face of the apparatus body with a first spring part 61 of a leaf spring unit 60; and the reflecting mirror 55 is energized against the receiving face with a second spring part 62 of the leaf spring unit 60, thus the mirror face of the reflecting mirror 55 is abutted against the mirror face positioning face and the edge face of the reflecting mirror 55 is abutted against the receiving face. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、光走査装置の内部で反射鏡を位置決めするための反射鏡位置決め方法や反射鏡位置決め機構に関するものである。また、かかる反射鏡位置決め機構を有する光走査装置や画像形成装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a reflecting mirror positioning method and a reflecting mirror positioning mechanism for positioning a reflecting mirror inside an optical scanning device. The present invention also relates to an optical scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus having such a reflector positioning mechanism.

従来、レーザープリンタ、デジタル複写機、レーザーファクシミリ等の画像形成装置において、画像情報に基づいて生成した光ビームによって感光体等の潜像担持体を光走査することで、潜像担持体上に潜像を形成するものが知られている。この画像形成装置の光走査装置は、一般に、レーザーダイオード等の光源、ポリゴンミラー等からなる偏向手段、ｆθレンズ、反射鏡などを有している。そして、光源から発射した光ビームを、偏向手段によって主走査方向に偏向せしめたり、ｆθレンズで集光したりしながら、反射鏡による反射によって潜像担持体の表面に導く。 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a digital copying machine, or a laser facsimile, a latent image carrier such as a photosensitive member is optically scanned with a light beam generated based on image information. What forms an image is known. In general, the optical scanning device of the image forming apparatus includes a light source such as a laser diode, a deflecting unit including a polygon mirror, an fθ lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like. Then, the light beam emitted from the light source is guided to the surface of the latent image carrier by reflection by the reflecting mirror while being deflected in the main scanning direction by the deflecting unit or condensed by the fθ lens.

かかる構成の光走査装置として、特許文献１に記載のものが知られている。この光走査装置は、水平方向に対して傾いた姿勢をとっている反射鏡を、その裏面（非鏡面）に押し当てた板バネによって装置本体の鏡面位置決め部に向けて付勢しながら、反射鏡の鏡面の長手方向における端部を鏡面位置決め部に突き当てている。そして、この突き当てによって反射鏡の鏡面を装置本体に対して位置決めしている。 As an optical scanning device having such a configuration, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this optical scanning device, a reflecting mirror that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction is reflected while being urged toward the mirror surface positioning portion of the device body by a leaf spring pressed against the back surface (non-mirror surface). The end of the mirror in the longitudinal direction is abutted against the mirror positioning part. And the mirror surface of a reflective mirror is positioned with respect to the apparatus main body by this butting.

特開２００６−２０１６２６号公報JP 2006-201626 A

このような構成では、光走査装置やこれを搭載している画像形成装置に対して設置時などに衝撃を与えると、その反動によって反射鏡の取り付け姿勢を乱してしまうおそれがあった。具体的には、反射鏡は、その裏面に押し当てられている板バネと、鏡面に突き当たっている装置本体の鏡面位置決め部との間に挟まれながら、板バネとの摩擦力や、鏡面位置決め部との摩擦力によって動かないように係止されている。ところが、装置に何らかの衝撃が与えられた反動で板バネが瞬間的に付勢方向とは逆方向に押し返されると、前述の摩擦力が瞬間的に著しく低下する。そして、反射鏡が板バネの表面に沿って移動して、取り付け姿勢を乱してしまうことがある。このようにして反射鏡の取り付け姿勢が乱れると、潜像担持体に対して正確な光走査を行うことができなくなってしまう。 In such a configuration, when an impact is applied to the optical scanning device or the image forming apparatus on which the optical scanning device is mounted, there is a risk that the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror may be disturbed by the reaction. Specifically, the reflecting mirror is sandwiched between the leaf spring pressed against the back surface of the reflecting mirror and the mirror surface positioning portion of the device main body that is in contact with the mirror surface, while the friction force with the leaf spring and the mirror surface positioning. It is locked so as not to move due to frictional force with the part. However, if the leaf spring is momentarily pushed back in the direction opposite to the biasing direction due to a reaction with some impact applied to the device, the above-mentioned frictional force is momentarily reduced significantly. And a reflective mirror may move along the surface of a leaf | plate spring, and a mounting attitude | position may be disturbed. If the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror is disturbed in this manner, accurate light scanning cannot be performed on the latent image carrier.

付勢手段として、板バネを用いた場合に生ずる問題について説明したが、コイルバネなど、他の付勢手段を用いる場合にも、同様の問題が生じ得る。 Although the problem that occurs when a leaf spring is used as the biasing means has been described, a similar problem may occur when another biasing means such as a coil spring is used.

本発明は、以上の背景に鑑みなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、反射鏡における取り付け姿勢の乱れを従来よりも抑えることができる反射鏡位置決め方法や反射鏡位置決め装置等を提供することである。 The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reflecting mirror positioning method, a reflecting mirror positioning device, and the like that can suppress the disorder of the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror as compared with the conventional art. That is.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項１の発明は、光ビームを発射する光ビーム発射手段と、該光ビームから発射された光ビームを反射させる反射鏡とを有し、光ビームを該反射鏡による反射で走査対象物の表面に導いて該走査対象物を光走査する光走査装置の内部で、該反射鏡を第１付勢手段によって装置本体の鏡面位置決め部に向けて付勢しながら、該反射鏡の鏡面を該鏡面位置決め部に突き当てることで、該反射鏡の鏡面を該装置本体内で位置決めする反射鏡位置決め方法において、上記装置本体として、上記反射鏡の短手方向の端面を受ける受け面を設けたものを用いるとともに、上記付勢手段により、上記反射鏡を上記鏡面位置決め部に向けて付勢するとともに、該受け面に向けて付勢することで、該反射鏡の鏡面を該鏡面位置決め部に向けて突き当てるとともに、該反射鏡の上記端面を該受け面に突き当てるようにしたことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項２の発明は、光ビームを発射する光ビーム発射手段と、該光ビームから発射された光ビームを反射させる反射鏡とを有し、光ビームを該反射鏡による反射で走査対象物の表面に導いて該走査対象物を光走査する光走査装置の内部で、該反射鏡を第１付勢手段によって装置本体の鏡面位置決め部に向けて付勢しながら、該反射鏡の鏡面を該鏡面位置決め部に突き当てることで、該反射鏡の鏡面を該装置本体内で位置決めする反射鏡位置決め機構において、上記装置本体として、上記反射鏡の短手方向の端面を受ける受け面を設けたものを用いるとともに、上記付勢手段により、上記反射鏡を上記鏡面位置決め部に向けて付勢するとともに、該受け面に向けて付勢することで、該反射鏡の鏡面を該鏡面位置決め部に向けて突き当てるとともに、該反射鏡の上記端面を該受け面に突き当てるようにしたことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項３の発明は、請求項２の反射鏡位置決め機構において、上記付勢手段として、上記反射鏡を裏面側から上記鏡面位置決め部に向けて付勢する第１付勢部と、該反射鏡を該鏡面位置決め部及び上記受け面の両方に向けて付勢する第２付勢部とを有するものを用いたことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項４の発明は、請求項３の反射鏡位置決め機構であって、上記第２付勢部によって上記反射鏡のエッジを付勢することを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項５の発明は、請求項３又は４の反射鏡位置決め機構において、上記第１付勢部及び上記第２付勢部として、それらを同一の部材に一体形成したものを用いたことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項６の発明は、請求項３乃至５の何れかの反射鏡位置決め機構において、上記反射鏡の鏡面における長手方向の一端部に対して２つの上記鏡面位置決め部を突き当てつつ、該鏡面の長手方向の他端部に対して１つの上記鏡面位置決め部を突き当てるように上記装置本体を構成するとともに、該反射鏡の長手方向における両端部のうち、該一端部だけを上記第２付勢部によって付勢するようにしたことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項７の発明は、光ビームを発射する光ビーム発射手段と、該光ビームから発射された光ビームを反射させる反射鏡と、該反射鏡を位置決めする位置決め手段とを有し、光ビームを該反射鏡による反射で走査対象物の表面に導いて該走査対象物を光走査する光走査装置において、上記位置決め手段として、請求項３乃至６の何れかの反射鏡位置決め機構を用いたことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項８の発明は、請求項７の光走査装置において、上記反射鏡位置決め機構として、請求項３乃至６の何れかのものを用いるとともに、筺体に対して着脱可能な蓋部材に、上記第１付勢部及び上記第２付勢部を一体形成したことを特徴とするものである。
また、請求項９の発明は、潜像を担持する潜像担持体と、光走査によって該潜像担持体の表面に潜像を形成する光走査手段と、該潜像担持体に担持された潜像を現像する現像手段とを備える画像形成装置において、上記光走査手段として、請求項７又は８の光走査装置を用いたことを特徴とするものである。 In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises light beam emitting means for emitting a light beam, and a reflecting mirror for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam, and reflects the light beam to the reflection beam. Inside the optical scanning device that guides the surface of the scanning object by reflection by the mirror and optically scans the scanning object, while urging the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion of the apparatus body by the first urging means In the reflecting mirror positioning method for positioning the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror in the apparatus main body by abutting the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror against the mirror positioning part, the end face in the short direction of the reflecting mirror is used as the apparatus main body. And a biasing means for biasing the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion and biasing the mirror toward the receiving surface. Mirror surface positioning Together abut towards, it is characterized in that the end face of the reflector was set to abut on the receiving surface.
Further, the invention of claim 2 has a light beam emitting means for emitting a light beam and a reflecting mirror for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam, and the light beam is reflected by the reflecting mirror to be scanned. The mirror surface of the reflecting mirror is urged toward the mirror positioning portion of the apparatus main body by the first urging means inside the optical scanning device that guides the surface of the object and optically scans the scanning object. In the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism for positioning the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror in the apparatus main body by abutting the mirror surface positioning portion, a receiving surface for receiving the end face in the short direction of the reflecting mirror is provided as the apparatus main body. And using the biasing means for biasing the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion and biasing the mirror toward the receiving surface, so that the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror is moved to the mirror surface positioning portion. Butt towards Both the end faces of the reflector is characterized in that it has to abut on the receiving surface.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to the second aspect, as the biasing means, a first biasing portion that biases the reflecting mirror from the back surface side toward the mirror surface positioning portion, and What has the 2nd biasing part which biases a reflecting mirror toward both this mirror surface positioning part and the said receiving surface is used.
The invention according to claim 4 is the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the edge of the reflecting mirror is biased by the second biasing portion.
Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the reflector positioning mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first urging portion and the second urging portion are integrally formed on the same member. It is characterized by.
The invention of claim 6 is the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the two mirror surface positioning portions are abutted against one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror, The apparatus main body is configured so that one mirror surface positioning portion abuts against the other end portion of the mirror surface in the longitudinal direction, and only one end portion of the both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the reflector is the second. It is characterized in that it is energized by the energizing section.
Further, the invention of claim 7 includes a light beam emitting means for emitting a light beam, a reflecting mirror for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam, and a positioning means for positioning the reflecting mirror. In the optical scanning device that guides the beam to the surface of the scanning object by reflection by the reflecting mirror and optically scans the scanning object, the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 6 is used as the positioning means. It is characterized by this.
The invention according to claim 8 is the optical scanning device according to claim 7, wherein the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism uses any one of claims 3 to 6, and a lid member that can be attached to and detached from the housing. The first urging portion and the second urging portion are integrally formed.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image, optical scanning means for forming a latent image on the surface of the latent image carrier by optical scanning, and the latent image carrier. An image forming apparatus including a developing unit that develops a latent image uses the optical scanning device according to claim 7 or 8 as the optical scanning unit.

これらの発明においては、反射鏡を付勢手段によって鉛直方向に付勢するのに伴って、反射鏡の鏡面を装置本体の鏡面位置決め部に突き当てつつ、反射鏡の短手方向の端面を受け面に突き当てる。これにより、反射鏡を鏡面位置決め部との摩擦力によって短手方向に動かさないように係止するとともに、反射鏡を受け面に突き当ててその短手方向の動きを拘束する。かかる構成では、反射鏡を鏡面位置決め部との摩擦力だけで係止していた従来に比べて、反射鏡を短手方向に移動させてしまうことによる反射鏡の取り付け姿勢の乱れを抑えることができる。 In these inventions, as the reflecting mirror is urged in the vertical direction by the urging means, the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror is abutted against the mirror positioning portion of the apparatus body, and the end face in the short direction of the reflecting mirror is received. Hit the face. Accordingly, the reflecting mirror is locked so as not to move in the short direction by the frictional force with the mirror surface positioning portion, and the reflecting mirror is abutted against the receiving surface to restrain the movement in the short direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress disturbance in the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror caused by moving the reflecting mirror in the short direction as compared with the conventional case where the reflecting mirror is locked only by the frictional force with the mirror surface positioning portion. it can.

以下、本発明を画像形成装置であるカラー電子写真プリンタ（以下、プリンタという）に適用した一実施形態について説明する。
まず、このプリンタの基本的な構成について説明する。図１は本実施形態に係るプリンタを示す概略構成図である。このプリンタは、負帯電性のトナーを用いた反転現像方式によってトナー像を形成するものである。同図において、潜像担持体たる無端ベルト状の感光体１は、そのループ内側に配設された転写ローラと感光体駆動ローラ３とによって張架されながら、感光体駆動ローラ３の回転駆動に伴って図中時計回り方向に無端移動せしめられる。 Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color electrophotographic printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as an image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the basic configuration of this printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a printer according to the present embodiment. This printer forms a toner image by a reversal development method using negatively charged toner. In the figure, an endless belt-like photoconductor 1 as a latent image carrier is stretched by a transfer roller and a photoconductor drive roller 3 arranged inside the loop, and is driven to rotate the photoconductor drive roller 3. Accordingly, it is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction in the figure.

感光体１の図中右側方には、感光体１の表面を例えば約−７００［Ｖ］に一様帯電せしめる帯電チャージャー等の帯電手段４が配設されている。感光体１の表面は、帯電手段４との対向位置にてトナーの帯電極性と同極性（本例では負極性）に帯電せしめられた後、光走査装置５０によって画像情報に基づいた走査露光処理がなされて静電潜像を担持する。この画像情報は、フルカラー画像の画像情報をイエロー、マゼンタ、シアン、黒（以下、Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃ、Ｋという）の各色毎に分解した単色の画像情報である。 On the right side of the photoconductor 1 in the figure, charging means 4 such as a charging charger for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor 1 to about −700 [V] is disposed. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 is charged to the same polarity as the toner charging polarity (negative polarity in this example) at a position facing the charging unit 4, and then scanned by the optical scanning device 50 based on image information. To carry an electrostatic latent image. This image information is single-color image information obtained by separating the image information of a full-color image for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K).

感光体１は１周無端移動するごとに、その表面にＹ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋ用の静電潜像が形成される。これらＹ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋ用の静電潜像は、感光体１の図中左側方に配設されたリボルバ現像装置１０によって順次現像されて、Ｙ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋトナー像となる。 Each time the photoreceptor 1 moves endlessly, an electrostatic latent image for Y, M, C, and K is formed on the surface thereof. These electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are successively developed by a revolver developing device 10 disposed on the left side of the photosensitive member 1 in the drawing to become Y, M, C, and K toner images. .

上記感光体１の図中右上には、転写手段たる転写ユニット２０が配設されている。この転写ユニット２０は、中間転写ベルト２１、駆動ローラ２２、テンションローラ２３、１次転写ローラ２４、２次転写チャージャー２５、ベルトクリーニング装置２６等を有している。そして、無端状の中間転写ベルト２１をそのループ内側に配設された駆動ローラ２２とテンションローラ２３とによって張架しながら、駆動ローラ２２の回転駆動に伴って図中反時計回り方向に無端移動せしめる。 A transfer unit 20 serving as transfer means is disposed on the upper right side of the photoconductor 1 in the drawing. The transfer unit 20 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21, a drive roller 22, a tension roller 23, a primary transfer roller 24, a secondary transfer charger 25, a belt cleaning device 26, and the like. Then, the endless intermediate transfer belt 21 is stretched by a driving roller 22 and a tension roller 23 disposed inside the loop, and endlessly moves in the counterclockwise direction in the figure as the driving roller 22 rotates. Let me.

中間転写ベルト２１のループ内側に配設された１次転写ローラ２４は、感光体１のループ内側に配設された感光体駆動ローラ３との間に、無端ベルト状の感光体１及び中間転写ベルト２１を挟み込んでいる。これにより、感光体１と中間転写ベルト２１とが当接する１次転写ニップが形成されている。 The primary transfer roller 24 disposed inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is connected to the photoreceptor driving roller 3 disposed inside the loop of the photoreceptor 1, and the endless belt-like photoreceptor 1 and the intermediate transfer roller 24. The belt 21 is sandwiched. As a result, a primary transfer nip where the photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 21 are in contact with each other is formed.

上記１次転写ローラ２４としては、例えば金属製の芯金に、導電性発泡ウレタンゴム層を被覆したローラで、表面のＡｓｋｅｒ−Ｃ硬度や、体積抵抗がそれぞれ適切な値に調整されたものを例示することができる。１次転写ローラ２４には、トナーの帯電極性とは逆極性の１次転写バイアスが図示しない電源によって印加される。これにより、１次転写ニップには１次転写電界が形成される。 The primary transfer roller 24 is, for example, a roller in which a metal cored bar is covered with a conductive foamed urethane rubber layer, and the surface Asker-C hardness and volume resistance of the surface are adjusted to appropriate values. It can be illustrated. A primary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 24 by a power source (not shown). As a result, a primary transfer electric field is formed in the primary transfer nip.

感光体１上に順次形成されるＹ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋトナー像は、感光体１の周回毎に１次転写ニップに順次搬送されていく。そして、１次転写電界やニップ圧の作用によって中間転写ベルト２１上に順次重ね合わせて静電転写される。この重ね合わせ静電転写により、中間転写ベルト２１上には４色重ね合わせトナー像（以下、４色トナー像という）が形成される。 The Y, M, C, and K toner images sequentially formed on the photoreceptor 1 are sequentially conveyed to the primary transfer nip for each revolution of the photoreceptor 1. Then, electrostatic transfer is performed by sequentially superimposing on the intermediate transfer belt 21 by the action of the primary transfer electric field and the nip pressure. By this superposition electrostatic transfer, a four-color superposed toner image (hereinafter referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21.

中間転写ベルト２１のループ内側には、その上部張架面に近接する２次転写チャージャー２５が配設されている。このように中間転写ベルト２１の裏面に２次転写チャージャー２５を近接させている位置が、本プリンタにおける２次転写位置になっている。 On the inner side of the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 21, a secondary transfer charger 25 close to the upper stretched surface is disposed. Thus, the position where the secondary transfer charger 25 is brought close to the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is the secondary transfer position in the printer.

プリンタ本体の下部には、記録体たる記録紙Ｐを複数枚重ねて収容する給紙カセット３０が配設されている。この給紙カセット３０は、一番上の記録紙Ｐに押し当てている給紙ローラ３０ａを所定のタイミングで回転駆動させて、その記録紙Ｐを給紙搬送路に給紙する。給紙搬送路に給紙された記録紙Ｐは、中間転写ベルト２１の上部張架面に静電吸着された後、中間転写ベルト２１の無端移動に伴って搬送されて上述の２次転写位置を通過する。そして、中間転写ベルト２１上の４色トナー像が記録紙Ｐに一括２次転写され、記録紙Ｐの白色と相まってフルカラー画像になる。 A paper feed cassette 30 for storing a plurality of recording papers P as recording bodies is disposed below the printer main body. The paper feed cassette 30 rotates the paper feed roller 30a pressed against the uppermost recording paper P at a predetermined timing, and feeds the recording paper P to the paper feeding conveyance path. The recording paper P fed to the paper feed conveyance path is electrostatically attracted to the upper stretched surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and then conveyed along with the endless movement of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the secondary transfer position described above. Pass through. Then, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 21 are collectively transferred to the recording paper P and combined with the white color of the recording paper P to form a full-color image.

このようにしてフルカラー画像が形成された記録紙Ｐは、図示しない分離爪、あるいは曲率分離によって中間転写ベルト２１から分離された後、排紙ローラ対３１を経て、機外のスタック部３２上に排出される。 The recording paper P on which the full-color image is formed in this way is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 by a separation claw or curvature separation (not shown), and then passes through a pair of paper discharge rollers 31 and onto a stack unit 32 outside the apparatus. Discharged.

上述の１次転写ニップで中間転写ベルト２１上に静電転写されずに感光体１表面に残留した１次転写残トナーは、感光体クリーナ１０によって感光体１から除去される。このようにしてクリーニングされた感光体１表面は、図示しない除電手段によって除電された後、帯電手段４によって一様帯電せしめられる。 The primary transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 1 without being electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 at the above-described primary transfer nip is removed from the photoconductor 1 by the photoconductor cleaner 10. The surface of the photoreceptor 1 cleaned in this way is discharged by a discharging unit (not shown) and then uniformly charged by a charging unit 4.

また、上述の２次転写位置で記録紙Ｐに２次転写されずに中間転写ベルト２１上に残留した２次転写残トナーは、中間転写ベルト２１に当接しているベルトクリーニング装置２６によってベルト表面から除去される。 Further, the secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 21 without being secondarily transferred to the recording paper P at the above-described secondary transfer position is transferred to the belt surface by the belt cleaning device 26 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 21. Removed from.

上述のリボルバ現像装置１０は、回転軸１０ａを中心にして図中反時計回り方向に回転駆動可能に構成されている。そして、その回転軸１０ａの周りに、Ｙ現像器１１Ｙ、Ｍ現像器１１Ｍ、Ｃ現像器１１Ｃ、Ｋ現像器１１Ｋを保持している。プリント動作前の状態では、Ｋ現像器１１Ｋを感光体１に当接させる位置でリボルバ現像装置１０の回転が停止している。この状態から、Ｙ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋ用の静電潜像が順次形成される感光体１を１周無端移動させる毎に、リボルバ現像装置１０を図中反時計回り方向に９０［°］回転駆動させることで、それらをＹ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋトナー像に順次現像していく。 The revolver developing device 10 described above is configured to be rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing around the rotation shaft 10a. The Y developing unit 11Y, the M developing unit 11M, the C developing unit 11C, and the K developing unit 11K are held around the rotation shaft 10a. In a state before the printing operation, the rotation of the revolver developing device 10 is stopped at a position where the K developing device 11K is brought into contact with the photosensitive member 1. From this state, every time the photoreceptor 1 on which the electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are sequentially formed is moved one endlessly, the revolver developing device 10 is rotated 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction in the figure. By rotating them, they are sequentially developed into Y, M, C, and K toner images.

図２は、光走査装置５０の内部構成を斜め上方から示す斜視図であり、同図では、光走査装置５０の筺体５１の上面を構成している図示しない蓋部材が筺体５１から取り外されている。同図において、光走査装置５０は、光ビーム発射手段たるレーザーダイオード５２、正六面体構造のポリゴンミラー５３、レンズ５４、反射鏡５５等を有している。ポリゴンミラー５３は、図示しないポリゴンモータによって高速回転せしめられる。この状態で、レーザーダイオード５２からの光ビーム（レーザー光）がポリゴンミラー５３の６つの側面にそれぞれ形成されているミラー部に入射すると、主走査方向に偏向せしめられる。 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the optical scanning device 50 obliquely from above. In FIG. 2, a cover member (not shown) that constitutes the upper surface of the casing 51 of the optical scanning device 50 is removed from the casing 51. Yes. In the figure, an optical scanning device 50 includes a laser diode 52 as a light beam emitting means, a regular hexahedral polygon mirror 53, a lens 54, a reflecting mirror 55, and the like. The polygon mirror 53 is rotated at a high speed by a polygon motor (not shown). In this state, when a light beam (laser light) from the laser diode 52 is incident on the mirror portions respectively formed on the six side surfaces of the polygon mirror 53, it is deflected in the main scanning direction.

ポリゴンミラー５３によって主走査方向に偏向せしめられる光ビームは、レンズ５４を透過して集光せしめられた後、反射鏡５５で反射することで、図示しない感光体の表面に導かれる。 The light beam deflected in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror 53 is transmitted through the lens 54 and condensed, and then reflected by the reflecting mirror 55 to be guided to the surface of the photoreceptor not shown.

なお、図２は、光走査装置５０を下面側から示している。装置内における各種部品の取り付け作業性やレイアウトなどの理由から、この光走査装置５０では、図示のように上下逆さまの状態にして部品の取り付けやメンテナンスを行うようになっている。プリンタに対しては、図示の状態から上下反転せしめられた姿勢で取り付けられる。 FIG. 2 shows the optical scanning device 50 from the lower surface side. For reasons such as mounting workability and layout of various components in the apparatus, the optical scanning device 50 performs mounting and maintenance of components upside down as shown in the figure. The printer is mounted in an upside down orientation from the illustrated state.

図３は、光走査装置５０の筐体内におけるミラー保持部５６を示す斜視図である。同図においても、ミラー保持部５６をプリンタへの取り付け時とは上下逆の状態で示している。装置本体としてのミラー保持部５６は、樹脂材料によって筐体（図２の５１）と一体成型されており、図示しない反射鏡の長手方向の一端部を保持する第１保持部５７と、他端部を保持する第２保持部５８とを有している。 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the mirror holding unit 56 in the housing of the optical scanning device 50. Also in this figure, the mirror holding part 56 is shown upside down from the time of attachment to the printer. The mirror holding part 56 as the apparatus main body is integrally formed with a casing (51 in FIG. 2) by a resin material, and includes a first holding part 57 that holds one end part in the longitudinal direction of a reflecting mirror (not shown), and the other end. And a second holding part 58 for holding the part.

図４は、ミラー保持部５６の第１保持部５７を反射鏡５５とともに示す側面図である。同図においても、第１保持部５７や反射鏡５５をプリンタへの取り付け時とは上下逆の状態で示している。反射鏡５５は、その長手方向の一端部が図示の第１保持部５７によって保持される。この第１保持部５７は、反射鏡５５における鏡面Ｓ１の幅方向（図中矢印Ｗ方向）の一端部に突き当たって鏡面Ｓ１を位置決めする鏡面位置決め部たる第１位置決め面５７ａを有している。また、鏡面Ｓ１の幅方向の他端部に突き当たって鏡面Ｓ１を位置決めする鏡面位置決め部たる第２位置決め面５７ｂも有している。更には、反射鏡５５の鏡面Ｓ１と直交する厚み方向（図中矢印ｔ方向）に延在する側面を受ける受け部としての第１受け面５７ｃも有している。反射鏡５５は、その長手方向の一端部において、鏡面Ｓ１に対して第１保持部５７の第１位置決め面５７ａ及び第２位置決め面５７ｂが突き当たることで、鏡面Ｓ１が２点で位置決めされる。 FIG. 4 is a side view showing the first holding portion 57 of the mirror holding portion 56 together with the reflecting mirror 55. Also in this figure, the first holding portion 57 and the reflecting mirror 55 are shown upside down from when attached to the printer. One end portion of the reflecting mirror 55 in the longitudinal direction is held by a first holding portion 57 shown in the figure. The first holding portion 57 has a first positioning surface 57a which is a mirror surface positioning portion which abuts on one end portion of the reflecting mirror 55 in the width direction (arrow W direction in the drawing) of the mirror surface S1 and positions the mirror surface S1. Moreover, it also has the 2nd positioning surface 57b which is a mirror surface positioning part which contacts the other end part of the width direction of the mirror surface S1, and positions the mirror surface S1. Furthermore, it also has a first receiving surface 57c as a receiving portion for receiving a side surface extending in the thickness direction (arrow t direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the mirror surface S1 of the reflecting mirror 55. The reflecting mirror 55 is positioned at two points when the first positioning surface 57a and the second positioning surface 57b of the first holding portion 57 abut against the mirror surface S1 at one end portion in the longitudinal direction.

図５は、ミラー保持部５６の第２保持部５８を反射鏡５５とともに示す側面図である。同図においても、第２保持部５８や反射鏡５５をプリンタへの取り付け時とは上下逆の状態で示している。反射鏡５５は、その長手方向の他端部が図示の第２保持部５８によって保持される。この第２保持部５８は、反射鏡５５における鏡面Ｓ１の幅方向の中央部に突き当たって鏡面Ｓ１を位置決めする鏡面位置決め部たる第３位置決め面５８ａを有している。また、反射鏡５５の厚み方向に延在する側面を受ける受け部としての第２受け面５８ｃも有している。反射鏡５５は、その長手方向の他端部において、鏡面Ｓ１に対して第２保持部５８の第３位置決め面５８ａが突き当たることで、鏡面Ｓ１が１点で位置決めされる。 FIG. 5 is a side view showing the second holding portion 58 of the mirror holding portion 56 together with the reflecting mirror 55. Also in this figure, the second holding portion 58 and the reflecting mirror 55 are shown upside down from when attached to the printer. The other end portion of the reflecting mirror 55 in the longitudinal direction is held by the illustrated second holding portion 58. The second holding portion 58 has a third positioning surface 58a that is a mirror surface positioning portion that positions the mirror surface S1 by abutting against the center portion of the reflecting mirror 55 in the width direction of the mirror surface S1. Moreover, it has the 2nd receiving surface 58c as a receiving part which receives the side surface extended in the thickness direction of the reflective mirror 55. FIG. The reflecting mirror 55 is positioned at one point by the third positioning surface 58a of the second holding portion 58 abutting against the mirror surface S1 at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction.

このように、反射鏡５５については、鏡面Ｓ１を長手方向の一端部において幅方向の２点で位置決めするとともに、鏡面Ｓ１を長手方向の他端部において幅方向の１点で位置決めするのが一般的である。かかる３点での位置決めにより、鏡面Ｓ１を所望の角度で精度良く位置決めすることができるからである。 Thus, with respect to the reflecting mirror 55, the mirror surface S1 is generally positioned at two points in the width direction at one end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the mirror surface S1 is generally positioned at one point in the width direction at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. Is. This is because the mirror surface S1 can be accurately positioned at a desired angle by positioning at these three points.

図１５は、従来の光走査装置における第１保持部５７をその周囲構成とともに示す側面図である。従来の光走査装置においては、図中矢印Ｆｉで示すように、水平方向（図中左右方向）に対して傾いた姿勢をとっている反射鏡５５を、その裏面Ｓ２に押し当てた板バネ９０によって第１位置決め面５７ａ及び第２位置決め面５７ｂに向けて付勢していた。これにより、反射鏡５５の鏡面Ｓ１を第１位置決め面５７ａ及び第２位置決め面５７ｂに突き当てることで、反射鏡５５の鏡面Ｓ１における長手方向の一端部を装置本体に対して位置決めしていた。 FIG. 15 is a side view showing the first holding portion 57 in the conventional optical scanning device together with the surrounding configuration. In the conventional optical scanning device, as indicated by an arrow Fi in the figure, a leaf spring 90 is pressed against the back surface S2 of a reflecting mirror 55 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (left and right direction in the figure). Therefore, it is biased toward the first positioning surface 57a and the second positioning surface 57b. As a result, the mirror surface S1 of the reflecting mirror 55 is abutted against the first positioning surface 57a and the second positioning surface 57b, thereby positioning one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the mirror surface S1 of the reflecting mirror 55 with respect to the apparatus main body.

かかる構成において、反射鏡５５は、その裏面Ｓ２に押し当てられている板バネ９０と、鏡面Ｓ１に突き当たっている位置決め面（５７ａ及び５７ｂ）との間に挟まれながら、板バネ９０との摩擦力や、位置決め部との摩擦力によって動かないように係止されている。この状態で、装置に何らかの衝撃が与えられた反動によって板バネ９０が瞬間的に付勢方向とは逆方向に押し返されると、反射鏡５５が板バネ９０の表面に沿って移動し、図１６に示すように取り付け姿勢を乱してしまうことがある。このようにして反射鏡５５の取り付け姿勢が乱れると、感光体に対して正確な光走査を行うことができなくなってしまう。 In such a configuration, the reflecting mirror 55 is frictioned with the leaf spring 90 while being sandwiched between the leaf spring 90 pressed against the back surface S2 and the positioning surfaces (57a and 57b) abutting against the mirror surface S1. It is locked so as not to move by force or frictional force with the positioning part. In this state, when the leaf spring 90 is momentarily pushed back in the direction opposite to the urging direction due to a reaction to which some impact is applied to the apparatus, the reflecting mirror 55 moves along the surface of the leaf spring 90, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the mounting posture may be disturbed. If the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror 55 is disturbed in this way, accurate light scanning cannot be performed on the photosensitive member.

近年の高解像度の画像形成装置では、反射鏡５５の鏡面Ｓ１を高精度に位置決めする必要がある。このため、鏡面Ｓ１を２点で位置決めする第１保持部５７においては、その２点の距離をできるだけ遠くして、鏡面Ｓ１の水平方向からの傾きの位置決め精度を向上させることが望ましい。そこで、図１５に示したように、鏡面Ｓ１における幅方向の両端ギリギリの箇所を第１位置決め面５７ａ、第２位置決め面５７ｂに突き当てる傾向にある。この一方で、反射鏡５５は、ガラス製のものが主流であり、その取り扱い上の作業性や安全性などの理由によって、エッジを面取りされるのが一般的である。すると、反射鏡５５が衝撃によって僅かに位置ずれしただけでも、反射鏡５５の面取り部が第２位置決め面５７ｂの上に移動して突き当たるため、反射鏡５５の姿勢の乱れが生じ易くなっている。 In recent high-resolution image forming apparatuses, it is necessary to position the mirror surface S1 of the reflecting mirror 55 with high accuracy. For this reason, in the 1st holding | maintenance part 57 which positions the mirror surface S1 by two points, it is desirable to make the distance of the two points as far as possible and to improve the positioning accuracy of the inclination of the mirror surface S1 from the horizontal direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, there is a tendency that the edges of both ends in the width direction on the mirror surface S1 abut against the first positioning surface 57a and the second positioning surface 57b. On the other hand, the reflecting mirror 55 is mainly made of glass, and the edges are generally chamfered for reasons such as workability and safety in handling. Then, even if the reflecting mirror 55 is slightly displaced due to an impact, the chamfered portion of the reflecting mirror 55 moves and strikes the second positioning surface 57b, and thus the posture of the reflecting mirror 55 is easily disturbed. .

反射鏡５５として、幅（図４における矢印Ｗ方向の寸法）の大きなものを用いれば、幅方向の両端よりもそれぞれ中央寄りの箇所で位置決め面を突き当てても、高精度な位置決めを行うことができるが、装置の大型化やコストアップを引き起こしてしまう。 If a reflector having a large width (dimension in the direction of arrow W in FIG. 4) is used as the reflecting mirror 55, highly accurate positioning can be performed even if the positioning surface is abutted at a position closer to the center than both ends in the width direction. However, this increases the size and cost of the device.

なお、光走査装置がプリンタ本体に取り付けられた状態では、図１６の状態とは上下が逆転しており、反射鏡５５が板バネ９０によって重力方向下側から支えられるようになる。そして、反射鏡５５は、板バネ９０上を自重によって受け面５７ｃから遠ざかる方向に移動しようとする。この状態で、装置に何らかの衝撃が加わると、反射鏡５５の取り付け姿勢が乱れるだけでなく、図１７に示すように、板バネ９０上から滑り落ちてしまうこともあり得る。 In the state where the optical scanning device is attached to the printer main body, the upper and lower sides are reversed from the state of FIG. 16, and the reflecting mirror 55 is supported from the lower side in the gravity direction by the leaf spring 90. The reflecting mirror 55 tends to move on the leaf spring 90 in a direction away from the receiving surface 57c by its own weight. If any impact is applied to the apparatus in this state, not only the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror 55 is disturbed, but also it may slide off from the leaf spring 90 as shown in FIG.

次に、本プリンタの特徴的な構成について説明する。
図６は、本プリンタの光走査装置における第１保持部５７を示す拡大部分斜視図である。また、図７は、同第１保持部５７を示す拡大側面図である。これらの図においても、第１保持部５７や反射鏡５５をプリンタへの取り付け時とは上下逆の状態で示している。 Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer will be described.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the first holding part 57 in the optical scanning device of the printer. FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing the first holding portion 57. Also in these drawings, the first holding portion 57 and the reflecting mirror 55 are shown upside down with respect to when attached to the printer.

図６に示すように、第１保持部５７においては、反射鏡５５の裏面側に位置する板バネユニット６０によって反射鏡５５を付勢している。この板バネユニット６０は、図７に示すように、第１付勢部たる第１バネ部６１と、これの両端側にそれぞれ位置する第２付勢部たる２つの第２バネ部６２とを有している。第１バネ部６１は、図８に示すように、従来の板バネと同様に、反射鏡５５の裏面Ｓ２に接触しながら、反射鏡５５を厚み方向（図中矢印Ｆｉ方向）に付勢することで、反射鏡５５の鏡面Ｓ１を第１位置決め面Ｓ１や第２位置決め面Ｓ２に突き当てる。これに対し、２つの第２バネ部６２はそれぞれ、反射鏡５５の裏面Ｓ２と側面との境にあるエッジに接触しながら、反射鏡５５を鉛直方向（図中矢印Ｆｊ方向）に付勢している。この付勢により、反射鏡５５は、第１位置決め面Ｓ１や第２位置決め面Ｓ２の表面に沿って移動して、第１受け面５７ｃに強制的に突き当てられている。かかる構成では、反射鏡５５を、板バネとの摩擦力や、位置決め面との摩擦力だけで係止していた従来に比べて、反射鏡５の取り付け姿勢の乱れを抑えることができる。 As shown in FIG. 6, in the first holding part 57, the reflecting mirror 55 is urged by the leaf spring unit 60 located on the back side of the reflecting mirror 55. As shown in FIG. 7, the leaf spring unit 60 includes a first spring portion 61 that is a first urging portion and two second spring portions 62 that are second urging portions that are positioned on both ends of the first spring portion 61. Have. As shown in FIG. 8, the first spring portion 61 urges the reflecting mirror 55 in the thickness direction (arrow Fi direction in the figure) while contacting the back surface S2 of the reflecting mirror 55, as in the case of the conventional leaf spring. Thus, the mirror surface S1 of the reflecting mirror 55 is abutted against the first positioning surface S1 and the second positioning surface S2. On the other hand, the two second spring portions 62 urge the reflecting mirror 55 in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrow Fj in the drawing) while contacting the edge at the boundary between the back surface S2 and the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55. ing. Due to this urging, the reflecting mirror 55 moves along the surfaces of the first positioning surface S1 and the second positioning surface S2 and is forced to abut against the first receiving surface 57c. In such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the disorder of the mounting posture of the reflecting mirror 5 as compared with the conventional case in which the reflecting mirror 55 is locked only by the frictional force with the leaf spring or the frictional force with the positioning surface.

なお、第２バネ部６２によって反射鏡５５の側面を第１受け面５７ｃに向けて第１受け面５７ｃと直交する方向に付勢しても、反射鏡５５を第１位置決め面Ｓ１や第２位置決め面Ｓ２の表面に沿って移動させて、第１受け面５７ｃに突き当てることができる。しかしながら、反射鏡５５として、薄厚のものを用いる傾向にある近年においては、板バネにより、反射鏡５５の側面に対して直交する方向の付勢力を正確に付与することが困難になってきている。そして、付勢方向が僅かにずれただけでも、図９に示すように、反射鏡５５の側面に対し、反射鏡５５を２つの位置決め面から遠ざける方向の付勢力を付与することになるため、反射鏡５５の姿勢の乱れを却って助長することになりかねない。これに対し、図８に示したように、第２バネ部６２によって反射鏡５５を鉛直方向に付勢すると、反射鏡５５に対して、２つの位置決め面に押し付けながら第１受け面５７ｃに向かう力を確実に付与することができる。よって、反射鏡５５の側面を付勢する場合に比べて、反射鏡５５の姿勢の乱れを確実に抑えることができる。 Even if the second spring portion 62 biases the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 toward the first receiving surface 57c in a direction perpendicular to the first receiving surface 57c, the reflecting mirror 55 is moved to the first positioning surface S1 or the second positioning surface S1. It can be moved along the surface of the positioning surface S2 to abut against the first receiving surface 57c. However, in recent years when there is a tendency to use a thin mirror as the reflecting mirror 55, it has become difficult to accurately apply a biasing force in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 by a leaf spring. . And even if the urging direction is slightly shifted, as shown in FIG. 9, the urging force in the direction of moving the reflecting mirror 55 away from the two positioning surfaces is applied to the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55. This may encourage the disturbance of the posture of the reflecting mirror 55. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the reflecting mirror 55 is urged in the vertical direction by the second spring portion 62, it is directed toward the first receiving surface 57 c while pressing the reflecting mirror 55 against the two positioning surfaces. Power can be reliably given. Therefore, as compared with the case where the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 is urged, the posture disorder of the reflecting mirror 55 can be reliably suppressed.

このように本プリンタでは、第２バネ部６２によって反射鏡５５に対して鉛直方向の付勢力を付与するが、この鉛直方向は、反射鏡５５の側面と直交する方向や、反射鏡５５の裏面Ｓ２と直交する方向とは異なっている。水平方向から傾いた姿勢をとっている反射鏡５５の側面に対しては、鉛直方向への付勢力を付与することが困難であり、側面に対する付勢力の大半は側面と直交する方向になってしまう。また、反射鏡５５の裏面Ｓ２に対しても、鉛直方向への付勢力を付与することが困難であり、裏面Ｓ２に対する付勢力の大半は裏面Ｓ２と直交する方向になってしまう。そこで、本プリンタにおいては、板バネユニット６０の第２バネ部６２により、図１０に黒点で示すように、反射鏡５５における裏面Ｓ２と側面との境にあるエッジとしての面取り部を鉛直方向（矢印Ｆｊ方向）に付勢するように構成されている。側面と裏面Ｓ２との境に位置する面取り部を付勢することで、反射鏡５５に対して鉛直方向への付勢力を安定して付与することができる。 As described above, in this printer, the second spring portion 62 applies a biasing force in the vertical direction to the reflecting mirror 55. The vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 or the back surface of the reflecting mirror 55. The direction orthogonal to S2 is different. It is difficult to apply an urging force in the vertical direction to the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 that is inclined from the horizontal direction, and most of the urging force on the side surface is in a direction perpendicular to the side surface. End up. Further, it is difficult to apply an urging force in the vertical direction to the back surface S2 of the reflecting mirror 55, and most of the urging force to the back surface S2 is in a direction orthogonal to the back surface S2. Therefore, in this printer, the second spring portion 62 of the leaf spring unit 60 causes the chamfered portion as an edge at the boundary between the back surface S2 and the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 to be vertically oriented (as indicated by a black dot in FIG. 10). It is configured to bias in the direction of arrow Fj). By urging the chamfered portion located at the boundary between the side surface and the back surface S2, the urging force in the vertical direction can be stably applied to the reflecting mirror 55.

図７に示した板バネユニット６０は、第１バネ部６１と２つの第２バネ部６２とが、同一の金属板に対する打ち抜き加工及び曲げ加工によって一体形成されたものである。このように一体形成された板バネユニット６０を用いることで、第１バネ部６１に代わる板バネと、第２バネ部６２に代わる板バネとをそれぞれ別々に設ける場合に比べて、低コスト化を図ることができる。 In the leaf spring unit 60 shown in FIG. 7, a first spring portion 61 and two second spring portions 62 are integrally formed by punching and bending the same metal plate. By using the integrally formed leaf spring unit 60, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the leaf spring replacing the first spring portion 61 and the leaf spring replacing the second spring portion 62 are separately provided. Can be achieved.

図１１は、光反射装置の第２保持部５８をその周囲構成とともに示す部分斜視図である。また、図１２は、第２保持部５８をその周囲構成とともに示す側面図である。これらの図に示すように、反射鏡５５の鏡面を１点で位置決めする第２保持部５８においては、従来と同様に、反射鏡５５の裏面Ｓ２に押し当てた板バネ６５によって反射鏡５５をその厚み方向に付勢することで、反射鏡５５の鏡面の幅方向中央を第３位置決め面５８ａに突き当てている。第２バネ部などによって反射鏡５５を鉛直方向に付勢することは行っていない。 FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing the second holding portion 58 of the light reflecting device together with its peripheral configuration. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the second holding portion 58 together with its peripheral configuration. As shown in these drawings, in the second holding unit 58 that positions the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror 55 at one point, the reflecting mirror 55 is held by the leaf spring 65 pressed against the back surface S2 of the reflecting mirror 55, as in the conventional case. By energizing in the thickness direction, the center in the width direction of the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror 55 is abutted against the third positioning surface 58a. The reflecting mirror 55 is not urged in the vertical direction by the second spring portion or the like.

図１３は、第２保持部５８においても第２バネ部によって反射鏡を鉛直方向に付勢するようにした構成における反射鏡５５の挙動を説明するための説明図である。かかる構成では、第２バネ部で反射鏡５５を鉛直方向（矢印Ｆｊ方向）に付勢するのに伴って、図示のように、反射鏡５５に対して、１点位置決め箇所（第３位置決め面との突き当たり箇所）を支点にして揺動させるような力を付与してしまう。この揺動により、反射鏡５５の姿勢の乱れを却って助長してしまうことになりかねない。そこで、本プリンタでは、反射鏡５５の鏡面を２点で位置決めする第１保持部（５７）だけを、第２バネ部によって鉛直方向に付勢するようにしている。 FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the behavior of the reflecting mirror 55 in the configuration in which the second holding portion 58 also urges the reflecting mirror in the vertical direction by the second spring portion. In such a configuration, as the reflecting mirror 55 is urged in the vertical direction (arrow Fj direction) by the second spring portion, as shown in the drawing, a one-point positioning portion (third positioning surface) A force that causes the rock to swing around the fulcrum) is applied. This swinging may promote the disturbance of the posture of the reflecting mirror 55 instead. Therefore, in this printer, only the first holding portion (57) for positioning the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror 55 at two points is urged in the vertical direction by the second spring portion.

図１４は、実施形態に係るプリンタにおける光走査装置の変形例における第１保持部５７をその周囲構成とともに示す側面図である。この変形例では、光走査装置の筺体の蓋となる蓋部材５９に、第１板バネ５９ａ及び第２板バネ５９ｂをそれぞれ一体形成している。そして、第１板バネ５９ａによって反射鏡５５を厚み方向（矢印Ｆｉ方向）に付勢して鏡面を２つの位置決め面に突き当てている。また、第２板バネ５９ｂによって反射鏡５５を鉛直方向に付勢して、反射鏡を第１保持部５７の第１受け面５７に突き当てている。かかる構成では、上述した板バネユニット（６０）を用いる場合に比べて、板バネの固定金物や部品点数を減らして低コスト化や省スペース化を図ることができる。 FIG. 14 is a side view showing the first holding unit 57 together with the surrounding configuration thereof in a modification of the optical scanning device in the printer according to the embodiment. In this modified example, a first plate spring 59a and a second plate spring 59b are integrally formed on a lid member 59 that is a lid of a housing of the optical scanning device. The reflecting mirror 55 is urged in the thickness direction (arrow Fi direction) by the first leaf spring 59a to abut the mirror surface against the two positioning surfaces. Further, the reflecting mirror 55 is urged in the vertical direction by the second leaf spring 59 b, and the reflecting mirror is abutted against the first receiving surface 57 of the first holding portion 57. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce costs and save space by reducing the number of fixed metal parts and parts of the leaf spring as compared with the case where the leaf spring unit (60) described above is used.

これまで、複数周回させている感光体上の静電潜像をリボルバ現像装置によってＹ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋトナー像として順次現像しながら、それらを中間転写ベルトに順次重ね合わせていく方式のプリンタについて説明してきたが、本発明の適用はかかる構成に限られない。例えば、複数の潜像担持体上でそれぞれ現像したトナー像を中間転写ベルトや記録紙に重ね合わせて転写するいわゆるタンデム方式の画像形成装置にも、本発明の適用が可能である。また、モノクロの画像形成装置にも、本発明の適用が可能である。 Up to now, a printer of a type in which electrostatic latent images on a photoreceptor that have been rotated a plurality of times are sequentially developed as Y, M, C, and K toner images by a revolver developing device, and are sequentially superimposed on an intermediate transfer belt. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a so-called tandem type image forming apparatus that transfers toner images developed on a plurality of latent image carriers on an intermediate transfer belt or a recording sheet. The present invention can also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus.

以上、実施形態に係るプリンタにおいては、付勢手段たる板バネユニット６０として、反射鏡５５を裏面側から、鏡面位置決め部としての第１位置決め面５７ａ及び第２位置決め面５７ｂに向けて付勢する第１付勢部たる第１バネ部６１と、反射鏡５５を鉛直方向に向けて付勢する第２付勢部たる第２バネ部６２とを有するものを用い、第２バネ部６２による付勢で、反射鏡５５をそれら位置決め面に押し付けながら第１受け面５７ｃに向けて押し付けるようにしている。かかる構成では、既に説明したように、第２バネ部６２によって反射鏡５５を受け面と直交する方向に向けて付勢する場合に比べて、反射鏡５５の姿勢の乱れを確実に抑えることができる。 As described above, in the printer according to the embodiment, as the leaf spring unit 60 serving as the urging unit, the reflecting mirror 55 is urged from the back surface side toward the first positioning surface 57a and the second positioning surface 57b as the mirror surface positioning portion. The first spring portion 61 that is the first biasing portion and the second spring portion 62 that is the second biasing portion that biases the reflecting mirror 55 in the vertical direction are used. The reflector 55 is pressed toward the first receiving surface 57c while pressing the reflecting mirror 55 against the positioning surfaces. In this configuration, as described above, it is possible to reliably suppress the posture disorder of the reflecting mirror 55 as compared with the case where the second spring portion 62 biases the reflecting mirror 55 in the direction orthogonal to the receiving surface. it can.

また、実施形態に係るプリンタにおいては、第２付勢部たる第２バネ部６２によって反射鏡５５のエッジとしての面取り部を付勢するようにしている。かかる構成では、既に説明したように、反射鏡５５の側面と裏面Ｓ２との境に位置する面取り部を付勢することで、反射鏡５５に対して鉛直方向への付勢力を安定して付与することができる。 In the printer according to the embodiment, the chamfered portion as the edge of the reflecting mirror 55 is urged by the second spring portion 62 as the second urging portion. In this configuration, as described above, the urging force in the vertical direction is stably applied to the reflecting mirror 55 by urging the chamfered portion located at the boundary between the side surface of the reflecting mirror 55 and the back surface S2. can do.

また、実施形態に係るプリンタにおいては、第１付勢部たる第１バネ部６１、及び第２付勢部たる第２バネ部６２として、それらを同一の金属板に一体形成したものを用いている。かかる構成では、既に説明したように、第１バネ部６１に代わる板バネと、第２バネ部６２に代わる板バネとをそれぞれ別々に設ける場合に比べて、低コスト化を図ることができる。 Further, in the printer according to the embodiment, the first spring portion 61 that is the first biasing portion and the second spring portion 62 that is the second biasing portion are integrally formed on the same metal plate. Yes. In this configuration, as already described, it is possible to reduce the cost as compared with a case where a leaf spring replacing the first spring portion 61 and a leaf spring replacing the second spring portion 62 are provided separately.

また、実施形態に係るプリンタにおいては、反射鏡５５の鏡面Ｓ１における長手方向の一端部に対して２つの鏡面位置決め部としての第１位置決め面５７ａ及び第２位置決め面５７ｂを突き当てつつ、鏡面Ｓ１の長手方向の他端部に対して１つの鏡面位置決め部たる第３位置決め面５８ａを突き当てるように装置本体としてのミラー保持部５６を構成している。そして、反射鏡５５の長手方向における両端部のうち、鏡面Ｓ１を２点で位置決めする側の端部だけを第２バネ部６２によって付勢するようにしている。かかる構成では、既に説明したように、鏡面Ｓ１を１点で位置決めする端部で反射鏡５５を第２バネ部６２によって付勢することに起因して、反射鏡５５の姿勢の乱れを却って助長してしまうといった事態を回避することができる。 In the printer according to the embodiment, the first positioning surface 57a and the second positioning surface 57b as two mirror positioning portions are abutted against one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the mirror surface S1 of the reflecting mirror 55, and the mirror surface S1. The mirror holding portion 56 as the apparatus main body is configured so that the third positioning surface 58a, which is one mirror surface positioning portion, abuts against the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. Of the two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the reflecting mirror 55, only the end portion on the side where the mirror surface S1 is positioned at two points is urged by the second spring portion 62. In such a configuration, as described above, the reflection mirror 55 is urged by the second spring portion 62 at the end portion that positions the mirror surface S1 at one point. It is possible to avoid such a situation.

また、変形例に係るプリンタにおいては、光走査装置の筺体に対して着脱可能な蓋部材５９に、第１付勢部たる第１板バネ５９ａ、及び第２付勢部たる板バネ５９ｂを一体形成している。かかる構成では、既に説明したように、実施形態に係るプリンタの板バネユニット（６０）を用いる場合に比べて、板バネの固定金物や部品点数を減らして低コスト化や省スペース化を図ることができる。 In the printer according to the modified example, the first plate spring 59a as the first urging unit and the plate spring 59b as the second urging unit are integrated with the lid member 59 that can be attached to and detached from the housing of the optical scanning device. Forming. In such a configuration, as already described, compared to the case where the leaf spring unit (60) of the printer according to the embodiment is used, the cost of the leaf spring can be reduced and the space can be saved by reducing the number of fixing hardware and parts of the leaf spring. Can do.

実施形態に係るプリンタを示す概略構成図。1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to an embodiment. 同プリンタの光走査装置の内部構成を斜め上方から示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the internal structure of the optical scanning apparatus of the printer from diagonally upward. 同光走査装置の筐体内におけるミラー保持部を示す斜視図。The perspective view which shows the mirror holding part in the housing | casing of the same optical scanning device. 同ミラー保持部の第１保持部を反射鏡とともに示す側面図。The side view which shows the 1st holding | maintenance part of the mirror holding part with a reflective mirror. 同ミラー保持部の第２保持部を反射鏡とともに示す側面図。The side view which shows the 2nd holding | maintenance part of the mirror holding part with a reflective mirror. 同第１保持部を示す拡大部分斜視図。The expanded partial perspective view which shows the 1st holding | maintenance part. 同第１保持部の板バネユニットを示す拡大斜視図。The expansion perspective view which shows the leaf | plate spring unit of the 1st holding | maintenance part. 同第１保持部を示す拡大側面図。The expanded side view which shows the 1st holding | maintenance part. 同反射鏡の側面を付勢する構成例を示す側面図。The side view which shows the structural example which urges | biases the side surface of the reflecting mirror. 同第１保持部におけるバネによる反射鏡の付勢方向を説明する側面図。The side view explaining the urging | biasing direction of the reflective mirror by the spring in the 1st holding | maintenance part. 同第２保持部をその周囲構成とともに示す部分斜視図。The fragmentary perspective view which shows the 2nd holding | maintenance part with the surrounding structure. 同第２保持部をその周囲構成とともに示す側面図。The side view which shows the 2nd holding | maintenance part with the surrounding structure. 同第２保持部において第２バネ部によって反射鏡を鉛直方向に付勢するようにした構成例における反射鏡の挙動を説明するための説明図。Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the behavior of the reflective mirror in the structural example which urged | biased the reflective mirror to the perpendicular direction by the 2nd spring part in the 2nd holding | maintenance part. 同光走査装置の変形例における第１保持部をその周囲構成とともに示す側面図。The side view which shows the 1st holding | maintenance part in the modification of the same optical scanning device with the surrounding structure. 従来の光走査装置における第１保持部をその周囲構成とともに示す側面図。The side view which shows the 1st holding | maintenance part in the conventional optical scanning device with the surrounding structure. 同第１保持部における反射鏡の挙動を示す側面図。The side view which shows the behavior of the reflective mirror in the 1st holding | maintenance part. 同第１保持部における反射鏡の脱落を説明する側面図。The side view explaining dropping of the reflective mirror in the 1st holding part.

Explanation of symbols

１：感光体
１１Ｙ，Ｍ，Ｃ，Ｋ：現像器（現像手段）
５０：光走査装置
５２：レーザーダイオード（光ビーム発射手段）
５５：反射鏡
５６：ミラー保持部（装置本体）
５７：第１保持部
５７ａ：第１位置決め面（鏡面位置決め部）
５７ｂ：第２位置決め面（鏡面位置決め部）
５７ｃ：第１受け面
５７ｂ：第２位置決め面（鏡面位置決め部）
５７ｃ：第１受け面
５８ａ：第３位置決め面（鏡面位置決め部）
５８ｃ：第２受け面
５１：筺体
５９：蓋部材
５９ａ：第１板バネ（第１付勢部）
５９ｂ：第２板バネ（第２付勢部）
６０：板バネユニット（付勢手段）
６１：第１バネ部（第１付勢部）
６２：第２バネ部（第２付勢部） 1: Photoconductor 11Y, M, C, K: Developing device (developing means)
50: Optical scanning device 52: Laser diode (light beam emitting means)
55: Reflecting mirror 56: Mirror holding part (device main body)
57: First holding portion 57a: First positioning surface (mirror surface positioning portion)
57b: 2nd positioning surface (mirror surface positioning part)
57c: 1st receiving surface 57b: 2nd positioning surface (mirror surface positioning part)
57c: 1st receiving surface 58a: 3rd positioning surface (mirror surface positioning part)
58c: 2nd receiving surface 51: Housing 59: Cover member 59a: 1st leaf | plate spring (1st biasing part)
59b: second leaf spring (second biasing portion)
60: leaf spring unit (biasing means)
61: First spring portion (first biasing portion)
62: Second spring portion (second biasing portion)

Claims

A light beam emitting means for emitting a light beam; and a reflecting mirror for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam; and the light beam is guided to the surface of the scanning object by reflection by the reflecting mirror. The mirror surface of the reflecting mirror is abutted against the mirror surface positioning portion while biasing the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion of the apparatus main body by the first biasing means inside the optical scanning device that optically scans the object. In the reflector positioning method for positioning the mirror surface of the reflector in the apparatus main body,
As the apparatus main body, while using a receiving surface that receives the end face in the short direction of the reflecting mirror,
The urging means urges the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion and urges the reflecting mirror toward the receiving surface, thereby abutting the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion. A method of positioning a reflector, wherein the end face of the reflector is abutted against the receiving surface.

A light beam emitting means for emitting a light beam; and a reflecting mirror for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam; and the light beam is guided to the surface of the scanning object by reflection by the reflecting mirror. The mirror surface of the reflecting mirror is abutted against the mirror surface positioning portion while biasing the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion of the apparatus main body by the first biasing means inside the optical scanning device that optically scans the object. In the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism for positioning the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror in the apparatus main body,
As the apparatus main body, while using a receiving surface that receives the end face in the short direction of the reflecting mirror,
The urging means urges the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion and urges the reflecting mirror toward the receiving surface, thereby abutting the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror toward the mirror surface positioning portion. A reflecting mirror positioning mechanism characterized in that the end face of the reflecting mirror is abutted against the receiving surface.

In the reflector positioning mechanism of claim 2,
As the urging means, a first urging portion that urges the reflecting mirror from the back surface side toward the mirror surface positioning portion, and urges the reflecting mirror toward both the mirror surface positioning portion and the receiving surface. A reflecting mirror positioning mechanism using a second urging portion.

The reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to claim 3,
A reflecting mirror positioning mechanism that biases an edge of the reflecting mirror by the second biasing portion.

In the reflector positioning mechanism according to claim 3 or 4,
A reflecting mirror positioning mechanism using the first urging portion and the second urging portion integrally formed on the same member.

In the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The apparatus is configured to abut one mirror positioning portion against the other end of the mirror surface in the longitudinal direction while abutting the two mirror positioning portions against the longitudinal end of the mirror surface of the reflecting mirror. While configuring the body,
A reflecting mirror positioning mechanism characterized in that, of the both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the reflecting mirror, only the one end portion is urged by the second urging portion.

A light beam emitting means for emitting a light beam, a reflecting mirror for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light beam, and a positioning means for positioning the reflecting mirror, and scanning the light beam by reflection by the reflecting mirror In an optical scanning device that guides to the surface of an object and optically scans the object to be scanned,
An optical scanning apparatus using the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism according to claim 3 as the positioning means.

The optical scanning device according to claim 7.
While using any one of claims 3 to 6 as the reflecting mirror positioning mechanism,
An optical scanning device characterized in that the first urging portion and the second urging portion are integrally formed on a lid member that can be attached to and detached from the housing.

A latent image carrier that carries a latent image, an optical scanning unit that forms a latent image on the surface of the latent image carrier by optical scanning, and a developing unit that develops the latent image carried on the latent image carrier. In the image forming apparatus provided,
An image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device according to claim 7 or 8 as the optical scanning unit.