JP2010169978A - Optical scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical scanner in which a focusing variation due to an optical path length variation, a stripe magnification variation and the deterioration of a pitch unevenness, are prevented when the tilt of scanning line is adjusted by turning of an optical member, and the optical member is accurately positioned. <P>SOLUTION: The optical scanner 13 has: a deflection member 61 which deflects and scans light emitted from a light source; an optical box 71 which houses the deflection member 61; an optical member 63 which is provided in the optical box 71 and passes the light scanned with the deflection member 61; a supporting member 75 which turnably supports the optical member 63 around the optical axis of the optical member 63; and reflection members 81, 82, 83 which are supported between the optical member 63 and the supporting member 75 independently from the motion of the supporting member 75, and reflect the light scanned with the deflection member 61. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical scanning apparatus that scans a scanning object with a light beam using a deflecting member.

  In an optical scanning device used in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a digital copying machine, a light beam modulated and emitted from a light source means in accordance with an image signal is periodically emitted by a deflecting member such as a rotating polygon mirror. To deflect. The deflected light beam is converged in a spot shape on a scanned object such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt by an imaging optical element having an fθ characteristic, exposed, and a latent image is formed. Yes.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image by superimposing toner images based on latent images formed on a plurality of scanned objects, geometric characteristics of scanning light scanned by the plurality of optical scanning devices, for example, scanning lines Image defects such as color misregistration occur due to differences in inclination and scanning line bending.

  In an image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image by repeatedly forming and developing a latent image on a single scanned object and superimposing toner images, or a mono-color image forming apparatus that forms a monochromatic image by forming and developing a latent image once Performs latent image formation with one optical scanning device. Therefore, although there is no color misregistration, the right-angle property of the image is impaired and the image is distorted.

  For this reason, an optical scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus having an adjusting means for correcting the geometric characteristic of the scanning light have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show a schematic diagram of a main part of this type of optical scanning device and a means for adjusting the geometric characteristics of the scanning light.

  In FIG. 19, a light beam that scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 110 that is a scanned object exits the light source unit 115, passes through a cylindrical lens 116 having a predetermined refractive power in the sub-scanning direction, and deflects the rotating polygon mirror 111. Condensed linearly on the surface. The light beam is deflected and reflected by the rotating polygonal mirror 111 and irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum through the toric lens 112 and the diffractive optical element 113 which are optical members. L is an optical axis, which corresponds to the scanning center axis and the optical axis of the toric lens 112.

  In this optical scanning device, the light beam scanned on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110 is tilted as indicated by the dotted line H by rotating in the direction of arrow G about the optical axis of the diffractive optical element 113. Scanned.

  Since the rotation amount of the diffractive optical element 113 and the inclination amount of the scanning line are in a substantially proportional relationship, the inclination of the scanning line is adjusted by rotating the diffractive optical element 113 by the amount necessary to correct the inclination deviation. Can do.

  Similarly, for scanning line bending adjustment, the reflecting mirror 114 shown in FIG. 20 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R around the optical axis L, and the angle of the optical axis L incident on the diffractive optical element 113 is changed to change the sensitivity. The light beam scanned on the drum surface is bent and scanned as indicated by a dotted line J.

  In FIG. 20A, the optical path is a straight line, but it is originally configured to reflect 90 degrees by the mirror 114 as shown in FIG.

  Further, the following has been proposed as means for realizing the tilt adjustment.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 21, a lens holder 121 having a thin plate shape and a center portion punched into a slit shape in the longitudinal direction is provided. The cylindrical lens 120 is placed on the lens holder 121 and fixed by leaf springs 122A and 122B. The lens holder 121 has an engagement hole 123A and a long hole 123B, and is fixed to the non-moving portions 124A and 124B of the optical scanning device. The cylindrical lens 120 can adjust the inclination of the scanning line by rotating around the engagement hole 123A integrally with the lens holder 121 (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  There is also a cylindrical lens and a reflecting mirror that can be rotated together.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22, the mirror 135 and the cylindrical lens 136 are fixed in the case 134. The case 134 is installed on the floor surface 131 of the housing 130, and a pin 133 provided on the protruding piece 132 of the housing 130 is fitted into a hole 137 formed in the upper surface of the case (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2002-148541 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-26526 JP-A-4-362610

  However, the above-described technique has the following problems.

  In the rotation method shown in FIG. 21, since the rotation center is far away from the center of the cylindrical lens 120 in the main scanning direction, it is necessary to increase the effective area of the lens opposite to the rotation center when adjusting the tilt. The height of becomes higher. Further, since the incident light beam deviates greatly from the lens center in the sub-scanning direction, spherical aberration cannot be ignored.

  For example, a toric lens may be provided to reduce the curvature of field and used as a tilt adjustment lens. In such a case, the scanning line bend changes at the time of tilt adjustment by setting the position away from the lens center as the rotation center. For this reason, in a full-color image forming apparatus having a plurality of image stations, color misregistration due to bending may increase as an adverse effect of correcting the inclination by auto registration.

  In the rotating method shown in FIG. 22, in view of the above, the mirror 135 is integrally rotated when adjusting the tilt so that the light beam is always incident on the center of the lens in the sub-scanning direction. .

  However, when the mirror 135 is rotated integrally, the one side of the optical path length is short and the other side is long at both ends of the scanning region, so that the focus position is inclined in the focus direction.

  Further, when the cylindrical lens 136 is used, it is difficult to correct the curvature of field with other lenses, so that the depth of field in the entire scanning area becomes shallow. When the optical path length changes within the scanning area, a shift in half magnification also occurs. In a full-color image forming apparatus having a plurality of image stations, after the magnification is corrected by auto registration, color misregistration in the vicinity of the center portion may deteriorate.

  Further, when the cylindrical lens forms a conjugate relationship between the polygon mirror and the image plane, the conjugate relationship is lost due to the change in the optical path length, and the pitch unevenness may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the focus fluctuation, the half magnification fluctuation, and the deterioration of pitch unevenness due to the optical path length fluctuation and to accurately position the optical member when adjusting the inclination of the scanning line by rotating the optical member. An optical scanning device is provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide beam vibration on the other end when one end in the scanning direction is brought into contact with the rotation adjustment member with the vicinity of the center of the optical member as the rotation center during rotation adjustment of the optical member. And an optical scanning device capable of suppressing the vibration of the tip of the L-shaped optical member supporting member.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical scanning device that can reduce friction during rotation adjustment and reduce the load on the adjusting means.

  The above object is achieved by an optical scanning device according to the present invention. In summary, according to the present invention, a deflecting member that deflects and scans light emitted from a light source, an optical box that houses the deflecting member, and light that is provided inside the optical box and scanned by the deflecting member. An optical member that transmits light, a support member that rotatably supports the optical member around the optical axis of the optical member, and a gap between the optical member and the support member independently of the movement of the support member. There is provided an optical scanning device comprising a reflection member that is supported and reflects light scanned by the deflection member.

According to the optical scanning device of the present invention,
(1) When the inclination of the scanning line is adjusted by the rotation of the optical member, it is possible to prevent the focus variation due to the optical path length variation, the half magnification variation, and the deterioration of the pitch unevenness, and to accurately position the optical member.
(2) During rotation adjustment of the optical member, beam vibration on the other end side when one end in the scanning direction is brought into contact with the rotation adjustment member with the vicinity of the center of the optical member as the rotation center is suppressed. At the same time, it is possible to suppress vibration at the tip of the L-shaped optical member support member.
(3) By performing positioning only with the two round shaft-shaped guide portions provided on the support member, friction during rotation adjustment is generated only with the guide portions, so the load on the adjusting means can be reduced. .

  Hereinafter, the optical scanning device according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital full-color copying machine (color image forming apparatus) which is an example of an image forming apparatus to which an optical scanning device according to the present invention can be applied.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading unit 1R and a printer unit 1P. The document reading unit 1R reads image information on the document, and the printer unit 1P forms a color image on a sheet material P, which is plain paper, according to the image information from the document reading unit 1R.

  A signal read by the image reading unit 1R is converted into a video signal of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and laser light output from the optical scanning device 13 (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) corresponding to each image station. Light modulation is performed.

  Four image forming stations 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d for forming image information for each color light are arranged in the full-color image forming unit 10 constituting the printer unit 1P.

  Each of the image forming stations 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d) as an image carrier. . Around each photosensitive drum 11, there are charging means 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), developing means 14 (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), and cleaning means 15 (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d). Has been placed.

  A toner image is formed on each photosensitive drum 11 by an image forming process known to those skilled in the art. The toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 11 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the transfer means 35 (35a, 35b, 35c, 35d) to form four color toner images.

  The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred from the sheet feeding cassette 21a or 21b to a secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer roller) on a sheet material P that is provided with a conveyance roller and is conveyed by the conveyance unit 20 by a known transfer material conveyance process. Secondary transfer is performed by a transfer means 36. The sheet material P to which the color toner image has been transferred is finally heated and fixed by a fixing device 40 including a pair of fixing rollers 41a and 41b to obtain a full color image.

(Overall device of optical scanning device)
Next, the details of the optical scanning device 13 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the optical scanning devices 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the optical scanning device 13 and shows a development view of an OFS (Over Filled Scan) type optical system.

  In FIG. 2, the optical scanning device 13 includes a light source device 66a, a collimator lens 66b, a spherical lens 66c, a diaphragm 66d, a cylindrical lens 66e, and a reflection mirror 67. Further, the optical scanning device 13 includes an fθ lens 62 and an anamorphic aspherical lens (hereinafter referred to as “aspherical lens”) 63 having power mainly in the sub-scanning direction as an imaging optical element that is an imaging means. ing. As the aspherical lens 63 which is an optical member, a toric lens or a toroidal lens having substantially the same curvature which has different curvatures in the sub-scanning direction and is not infinite in the main-scanning direction on the incident surface and the exit surface of the light beam. Is done.

  These optical elements are housed and supported in the optical box, that is, in the housing member 71 together with a drive device (not shown) that rotates and drives the polygon mirror 61 that is a deflection member, and the dust-proof glass 65. In FIG. 2, reflection mirrors 81, 82, and 83 (see FIG. 6), which are reflection members for returning the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror 61 to the photosensitive drum 11, are omitted.

  In the optical scanning device 13 configured as described above, the light beam emitted from the light source device 66a is made into near-parallel light by the collimator lens 66b and weakly divergent light by the spherical lens 66c. After the light beam is regulated by the stop 66d, the light beam collected only in the sub-scanning direction by the cylindrical lens 66e and reflected by the reflection mirror 67 passes through the fθ lens 62 in a linear manner in the vicinity of the reflection surface of the polygon mirror 61. Focused. The polygon mirror 61 rotates at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and deflects the light beam.

  Further, the deflected light beam is incident again on the fθ lens 62 having the fθ characteristic, and the light beam is condensed in the main scanning direction. Further, the light is condensed in the sub-scanning direction by the aspherical lens 63 to form a spot on the photosensitive drum 11. The photosensitive drum 11 is rotated at a constant speed by a rotation mechanism (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the synchronization detection means 70 arranged in the optical scanning device 13 takes the laser beam writing timing (synchronization signal) for each line on the photosensitive drum 11. Therefore, the optical scanning device 13 includes a reflection mirror 68 for causing the synchronization detection means 70 to reflect the light beam. The reflection mirror 68 is attached to the housing member 71 by a support member 69.

  The correction means in the adjustment of the image position is performed on cyan, magenta, and yellow images with reference to the black image position with respect to the deviation of each parameter in FIGS. Here, A is the image conveying direction, and the direction perpendicular to A is the main scanning direction.

  First, the vertical margin shift (A) and the horizontal margin shift (B) are performed by changing the laser writing timing by a necessary amount, and the magnification shift (D) changes the modulation frequency modulated by the laser diode 19 by a predetermined amount. Do it.

  The scanning line inclination (C) and the scanning line bending (E) are performed by an optical method as described later.

(Scan line tilt adjustment)
The tilt adjustment (correction) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The light beam scanned on the photosensitive drum 11 by rotating (rotating) in the direction of the arrow G about the axis parallel to the optical axis L of the aspherical lens 63 is as indicated by a dotted line H in FIG. Scanned at an angle.

  Since the amount of rotation of the aspherical lens 63 and the amount of inclination of the scanning line are in a substantially proportional relationship, the scanning line can be obtained by rotating the aspherical lens 63 in the direction of arrow G or in the opposite direction by an amount necessary to correct the inclination deviation. Can be adjusted.

  The correction means described above is mainly used for image misregistration correction (so-called auto registration) between stations. A registration mark (not shown) formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is read by the registration mark detection means 60 and calculated. Make corrections based on the results.

  Since the bending adjustment does not change due to the temperature rise in the image forming apparatus or the like, the adjustment is performed only when the optical scanning apparatus is assembled.

(Adjusting scanning line bending)
The bending adjustment (correction) will be described with reference to FIG.

  By rotating (rotating) in the direction of arrow R about the axis parallel to the scanning line of the aspherical lens 63, the light beam scanned on the photosensitive drum 11 is bent as shown by the dotted line J in the figure. Scanned.

  Since the amount of rotation of the aspherical lens 63 and the amount of bending of the scanning line are substantially proportional to each other, the scanning line is bent by rotating the aspherical lens 63 in the direction of arrow R or in the opposite direction by the amount necessary to correct the bending. Can be adjusted.

(Overall configuration of optical scanning device)
FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of the optical scanning device 13 in the present embodiment, FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a support portion and adjustment means of the aspheric lens 63, and FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the aspheric lens support member. FIG.

  In the optical scanning device 13 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, members having the same functions as those in the optical scanning device 13 shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted. To do.

  In the following description, the X axis and the Z axis are the left and right directions and the vertical direction, respectively, and the Y axis is the front and back direction. Furthermore, the directions rotating around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are referred to as an Xr direction, a Yr direction, and a Zr direction, respectively.

  A driving device 61a for rotationally driving the polygon mirror 61 is positioned and supported by an optical housing 71 which is a housing member constituting an optical box. Similarly, the fθ lens 62 is positioned and supported on a support member formed integrally with the optical housing 71 by urging or bonding with an elastic member. In FIG. 6, a light source device 66a, a collimator lens 66b, a spherical lens 66c, a diaphragm 66d, a cylindrical lens 66e, a reflection mirror 67, and the like (not shown) are also attached to a support member formed integrally with the optical housing 71 by an elastic member. It is positioned and supported by force, adhesion or the like.

  The mirrors 81 and 82 are reflection mirrors for turning back the light beam deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 61, and turn back the light beam of about 180 °. The mirror 83 is a reflection mirror for directing the light beam transmitted through the aspherical lens 63 toward the photosensitive drum 11. The reflection mirrors 81 to 83 are pressed and urged by an elastic member such as a leaf spring to a support portion (not shown) of the optical housing 71. A part of the reflection mirror support is a tip of a screw screwed into the optical housing in order to adjust the angle of the reflection mirror.

  In this embodiment, the mirror 83 is provided between the aspherical lens 63 and the lens support member 75 and is a reflection member that reflects light scanned by the polygon mirror 61, and is independent of the movement of the lens support member 75. It is supported so that the angle can be adjusted.

  Covers 73 and 74 provided for dust-proofing in the optical device are attached to the optical housing 71 with screws or the like.

  The dustproof glass 65 is affixed with a double-sided tape or the like so as to close the opening 74 a provided on the optical path of the cover 74.

  The aspherical lens 63 is a leaf spring (not shown) so as to come into contact with pedestals 75b and 75c formed integrally with the first surface 75a of the lens support member 75 and a screw 76 screwed into the first surface 75a. Etc. are pressed and biased. Then, the aspheric lens 63 is positioned with respect to the lens support member 75 in the Z direction and the Xr direction. Similarly, in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Zr directions, positioning is performed by being pressed and supported by a contact portion (not shown) formed integrally with the lens support member 75 and a leaf spring. Further, by rotating the screw 76 through the adjustment hole 71b formed in the optical housing 71, the aspherical lens 63 is rotated in the Yr direction, and the scanning line bending is adjusted (corrected).

  The lens support member 75 has a second surface 75d that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface 75a, and integrally forms a circular shaft-shaped guide portion 75e that is substantially parallel to the optical axis L that passes through the aspherical lens 63. Or they are joined as different parts.

  The guide portion 75e is fitted in a guide hole 71a formed in the optical housing 71 so as to be rotatable in the Xr direction and positioned in the Y axis and Z axis directions.

  The guide portion 75e has a cylindrical hole 75e1 formed at the same center, and the leaf spring 77 is attached to the guide portion 75e by inserting the plug 75e2 into the cylindrical hole 75e1. A plate spring 77 fixed to the guide portion 75e is urged so that a base 75f formed coaxially with the guide portion 75e on the second surface 75d contacts the optical housing 71. Further, the pedestals 75g and 75h formed at the end portion in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction) on the second surface 75d are also urged and brought into contact with the optical housing 71 by another urging means, so that the X-axis direction and Positioning is performed in the Yr direction and the Zr direction. That is, the bases 75f, 75g, and 75h constitute positioning means for the lens support member 75.

  The pulse motor 84 constituting the rotation adjusting means for controlling the rotation amount of the lens support member 75 in the Xr direction has a screw formed on the output shaft 84a. A slide member 84b in which a female screw is formed is screwed into the screw 84a. The slide member 84 b functions as a rotation adjustment member that directly contacts the support member 75 and adjusts the rotation of the support member 75. In other words, the rotation of the motor 84 causes the slide member 84b to contact the support member 75, whereby the aspherical lens 63 rotates about the axis (guide portion 75e) to adjust (correct) the tilt.

  Here, by making the rotation center of the guide portion 75e coincide with the center of the aspherical lens 63, it is possible to suppress the bending that occurs during the tilt adjustment.

  In FIG. 8, the slide member 84b of the motor 84 is in the vicinity of the second surface 75d, and further on the side where the end pedestals 75g and 75h are provided with respect to the guide portion 75e (for example, the P position) in the Y-axis direction. It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut.

  The pedestal 75f need not be formed coaxially with the guide portion 75e, and may be provided in the vicinity of the guide portion 75e on the opposite side of the pedestals 75g and 75h with the guide portion 75e interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the shapes of the pedestals 75b, 75c, 75f, 75g, and 75h are not limited to those shown in the drawing, and any shape may be used as long as the aspherical lens 63 or the optical housing 71 is brought into contact with a minute plane, a ridgeline, or a point.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the lens support member 75 that rotatably holds only the lens 63 that is an optical member is provided and the support member 75 is provided with a guide portion 75e for adjusting the rotation. The lens support member 75 is provided with a first surface 75a for placing the lens 63, and a second surface 75d substantially perpendicular to the first surface 75a, and the guide portion 75e is rounded on the second surface 75d. It is formed in a shaft shape. By fitting the optical housing 71 with a round shaft, rattling can be minimized. The second surface 75d is disposed on the back surface of the reflection mirror 83 adjacent to the lens 63 so as not to block the scanning light. The lens 63 is positioned and held with respect to the support member 75.

  The support member 75 is positioned with respect to the optical housing 71 in a direction other than the rotation adjustment direction. The rotation center in the rotation adjustment is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the lens, and the rotation adjustment member 84b is located at the position P near the end surface of the support member 75 at any position in the scanning direction with respect to the rotation center. Abut. The positioning means formed on the support member 75 is made up of three minute planes or points and ridge lines, such as pedestals 75f, 75g, and 75h. Since the positioning means 75f, 75g, and 75h have a rubbing resistance during rotation adjustment, they are disposed near the rotation center and the adjustment member in order to prevent deformation of the support member 75 due to friction. The side opposite to the scanning direction with respect to the position where the adjustment member 84 is disposed is a free end that is not in contact with the optical housing or the like. However, since the lens support member 75 is formed in an L shape, it is difficult to generate beam vibration.

That is, according to the present invention,
(1) It is possible to prevent the focus fluctuation, the half magnification fluctuation, and the deterioration of pitch unevenness associated with the optical path length fluctuation, and to accurately position the lens support member and the optical member.
(2) By forming the support member in an L shape, the other end side that can occur when the rotation center is provided in the vicinity of the center of the lens and one end is set as the adjustment means contact position for rotation adjustment. Can suppress beam vibration.
(3) By providing the positioning means only in the vicinity of the rotation center and in the vicinity of the rotation adjustment means, it is possible to suppress deformation of the support member during rotation adjustment due to friction.

Example 2
10 to 12 show a second embodiment of the lens support member in the optical scanning device. The other configurations are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, and members having the same configurations and functions are denoted by the same reference plates, and the description of the first embodiment is used and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The guide portion 75e is fitted in a hole 71a formed in the optical housing 71 so as to be rotatable in the Xr direction and positioned in the Y axis and Z axis directions. A plate spring 77 fixed to the guide portion 75e is urged so that a base 75f formed coaxially with the guide portion 75e on the second surface 75d contacts the optical housing 71. Further, a pedestal 75i is formed on the second surface 75d at the end in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction) at a position parallel to the generatrix of the aspherical lens 63 with respect to the guide portion 75e. By urging and contacting the optical housing 71 by the means, positioning is performed in the X-axis direction and the Zr direction.

  Further, an arc-shaped protrusion 75j concentric with the guide portion 75e is provided on the surface of the lens support member 75 that faces the first surface 75a at a location that substantially coincides with the aspheric lens 63 in the X-axis direction. Then, positioning is performed in the Z-axis direction by urging and abutting against a flat projection 71 c formed integrally with the optical housing 71. Further, positioning in the Yr direction is performed together with the guide portion 75e.

  Here, since the Z-axis direction of the lens support member 75 is determined by the guide portion 75e and the arc-shaped projection portion 75j, it may be inclined in the Yr direction depending on the accuracy of individual components.

  However, the aspherical lens 63 is accurately positioned in the Z-axis direction due to the relationship between the pedestals 75b and 75c and the tip of the arcuate protrusion 75j, and the aspherical lens 63 is adjusted in the Yr direction with respect to the lens support member 75. There is no problem because it has means. This adjustment means has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment, and includes a slide member 84b or the like as a rotation adjustment member driven by a motor 84.

  Further, the pedestal 75f does not need to be formed coaxially with the guide portion 75e, and is near the opposite side of the pedestal 75i at a position parallel to the generatrix of the aspherical lens 63 with respect to the guide portion as shown in FIG. May be provided.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the positioning means formed on the second surface 75d, that is, the pedestal 75i is formed at a position parallel to the generatrix of the lens with respect to the center of the guide portion 75e. Positioning means for rotation around an axis parallel to the scanning direction is performed by abutting an arcuate protrusion 75j having the same center as the guide portion 75e provided in the vicinity of the lens placement portion on the optical housing 71. By urging and abutting the arc-shaped protrusion 75j against the optical housing 71, it is possible to suppress the vibration in the vertical direction of the lens and to prevent the deformation at the time of rotation adjustment by making it coaxial with the guide portion 75e.

  That is, according to the present invention, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and furthermore, an arc-shaped protrusion is provided in the vicinity of the lens mounting portion of the lens support member, and is biased and brought into contact with the optical housing or the like. It is possible to suppress the vibration of the L-shaped tip portion serving as the lens placement portion.

Example 3
14 to 16 show a third embodiment of the lens support member in the optical scanning device. The other configurations are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, and members having the same configurations and functions are denoted by the same reference plates, and the description of the first embodiment is used and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The lens support member 75 has a first surface 75a, a substantially vertical second surface 75d, and a third surface 75k. Then, the guide part 75l and the guide part 75m disposed coaxially with the guide part 75l that is substantially parallel to the optical axis L passing through the aspherical lens 63 are formed integrally or different parts. Are joined as

  The guide support portions 71d and 71e are each formed integrally with the optical housing 71, and form a V-groove as shown in FIG. The guide portions 75l and 75m are biased and brought into contact with the guide support portions 71d and 71e, thereby positioning in the Y axis, Z axis, Yr direction, and Zr direction. Further, the guide portion 75l is brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the optical housing by another urging means, and is positioned in the X-axis direction.

  Since the rubbing resistance at the time of tilt adjustment occurs only between the guide portions 75l and 75m and the guide support portions 71d and 71e, the pulse motor 84, the adjustment member 84b, etc., which are tilt adjusting means, are in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction). ) It may be arranged at either position on both ends.

  Further, as a means for positioning in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a seat surface 75n formed around the guide portion 75l may be urged and brought into contact with the side wall surface of the guide support portion 71d. Good.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the guide portions 75l and 75m of the lens support member 75 are disposed on the back surfaces of the two adjacent reflection mirrors 83 and 82, respectively. Accordingly, the lens is positioned only by the two guide portions 75l and 75m, and the sliding resistance at the time of the rotation adjustment is generated only in the guide portion, so that the support member 75 is further hardly deformed. Further, the load at the time of rotation adjustment can be reduced, and the required torque of the actuator can be reduced when the rotation adjustment is automatically performed by an auto register or the like.

  That is, according to the present invention, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the guide portions of the lens support member are disposed on the back surfaces of the two adjacent reflecting mirrors, and the support member By performing positioning only with the two provided round shaft-shaped guide portions, friction during rotation adjustment is generated only with the guide portions, so that the load on the adjusting means can be reduced.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital full-color copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus to which an optical scanning device according to the present invention can be applied. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an optical scanning device. It is a figure explaining image position adjustment. It is a figure explaining inclination adjustment. It is a figure explaining bending adjustment. It is a schematic block diagram of the 1st Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a side view which shows the aspherical lens support member and adjustment means in 1st Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a perspective view of the aspherical lens support member in the first embodiment of the optical scanning device according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the aspherical lens support member in the 1st Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the 2nd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a side view which shows the aspherical lens support member and adjustment means in 2nd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a perspective view of the aspherical lens support member in the 2nd Example of the optical scanning device concerning this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the aspherical lens support member in the 2nd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the 3rd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a perspective view of the aspherical lens support member in the 3rd Example of the optical scanning device concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the guide part of the aspherical lens support member in the 3rd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the guide part of the 3rd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the aspherical lens support member in the 3rd Example of the optical scanning device based on this invention. FIG. 19A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional optical scanning device, and FIG. 19B is a diagram for explaining the inclination of a scanning line. FIG. 20A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional optical scanning device, and FIG. 20B is a diagram for explaining bending of a scanning line. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the cylindrical lens and holder in the conventional optical scanning device. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the adjustment means of the cylindrical lens and mirror in the conventional optical scanning device.

10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) Image forming station (image forming unit)
11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) Photosensitive drum (image carrier, scanned body)
12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) Charging means 13 Optical scanning device 14 (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) Developing means 15 (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) Cleaning means 30 Intermediate transfer belt 35 (35a, 35b, 35c, 35d) Primary transfer means 36 Secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer means)
61 Rotating polyhedral bridge, polygon mirror (deflection member)
63 Toric lens (optical member)
66a Light source device (light source means)
71 Optical housing (optical box)
71a Guide holes 71d, 71e Guide support 75 Lens support member 75a First surface 75d Second surface 75k Third surfaces 75e, 75l, 75m Axes (guide portions)
81, 82, 83 Reflection mirror (reflection member)
84 Pulse motor (rotation adjustment means)
84b Slide member (rotation adjustment member)

Claims (2)

  A deflection member that deflects and scans light emitted from a light source; an optical box that houses the deflection member; an optical member that is provided inside the optical box and transmits light scanned by the deflection member; A support member that rotatably supports the optical member about the optical axis of the member, and is supported between the optical member and the support member independently of the movement of the support member, and is scanned by the deflection member. And a reflecting member that reflects the reflected light.   The support member has a first surface that supports the optical member and a second surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface, and the optical member is centered on the optical axis on the second surface. 2. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein a shaft for rotating is integrally formed.